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The absence of the mayor led to a no confidence vote proposed by Conservative James O’Dwyer, accusing him of wasting time and money by causing the meeting to take place.

The vote was passed but then withdrawn over concerns it could jeopardise support from other councillors for the decision to sign the land transfer deal, which was eventually approved 14-7 with four abstentions.

Conservative group leader Dave Thomas said the meeting was urgent and the no confidence vote was a result of anger that the mayor was not there to explain his decision.

It was withdrawn when members of the mayor’s executive team said it meant they could not support going ahead with the deal.